Can This Tree Be Saved?

3 things you may not know about storm damaged landscaping

Wherever you live, storms of some kind most likely pose a threat to your landscaping at some time during the year. Hurricanes, rain storms, ice storms, snow storms — they can all cause damage from minor to major.

The University of Minnesota|Extension lists three things to remember when it comes to storm damage to your landscape:

Prediction — Predicting tree damage has less to do with listening to the weather reports and more to do with issues that may exist in your landscaping that make it more vulnerable during a storm. Look for decay and existing site problems; problems in a single branch are less worrisome than issues in the trunk. A common test recommends that “for every 3 inches of branch or stem diameter, solid wood should comprise at least 1 to 1.5 inches. Anything less than that often indicates a branch or stem that is more likely to fail during a storm.”

Find more detail on Predicting Tree Failure here.

Prevention — Monitor, prune, protect. Keeping your eye out for potential problems early gives you the opportunity to nip a small problem in the bud, before it becomes a big problem. Although pruning is necessary, improper pruning can do more harm than good. Protect your landscaping from new wounds and potential weaknesses from machines such as mulchers and trimmers; consider mulching and staking your trees to safeguard against accidental injury.

Find more detail on Preventing Tree Damage here.

Treatment — for all but the most minor damage, experts recommend consulting with an expert — if chainsaws or ladders are required, if power lines are down, if you’re not sure the tree is worth saving — those are all signs that a qualified arborist should be called in. Treating storm damaged landscaping can range from corrective pruning to cabling and bracing (see more detail on these and more treatments here).

More resources for preventing and recovering landscape damage from storms:

• Can Your Storm-Damaged Tree be Saved? (HouseLogic)
• Transforming a Storm-Damaged Landscape (Eco Landscaping)
• Storm damage prevention and treatment (University of Florida)

Preparing For Halloween

5 sure-fire ways to zombie-proof your home

It turns out that protecting your home from and preparing your family for a zombie attack can be quite useful. As the Director of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) puts it,  “If you are generally well equipped to deal with a zombie apocalypse you will be prepared for a hurricane, pandemic, earthquake, or terrorist attack.”

Here are some tips from This Old House and the CDC on the best zombie defense.

1. Prepare for a siege —create a Zombie All-Hazards Emergency Kit that includes water, non-perishable food, wooden stakes, a flashlight, basic tools, a battery or hand-crankable radio and a gun loaded with silver bullets if you can get your hands on some.

2. Dismantle your staircase — retreat to your upper floors and eliminate all access from downstairs. In the panic of attack, you might be reduced to smashing your stairs to bits, but a little advanced planning will enable you to take it apart for re-assembly post apocalypse.

3. Power tools are not your friend —there is plenty of precedent for zombies finding nearby power tools and wielding them with deadly effect. Drain the power, bury the tools or break them, but do what you can so they can’t be used against you.

4. Strengthen your siding — fiber-cement siding is the most likely to withstand zombies scratching and kicking the outside of your home to get to you. Not to mention, replacing your current exteriors with fiber-cement siding ranks number one in Hanley Wood’s Cost vs. Value report for projects costing more than $1,200, returning an average of 83% of your investment when you sell your home.

5. Don’t let them know you’re home —keep your curtains closed and your shades down. Cellular shades and wood blinds both offer adjustable light as well as helping to control the temperature of your home, keeping the heat out in warm months and keeping it in during cooler times, which might come in handy if your fuel supply is threatened during a zombie invasion.

For more tips on defending your home, see this step-by-step guide from This Old House.

Less Money, More Free Time

Top Trends in Home Improvement

It’s not about the biggest house anymore, it’s about the smartest home — the most flexible, the most comfortable, the most energy efficient, the easiest. Whether you’re staying in your home or considering selling, making changes that make your house more cost-effective and lower-maintenance is a good investment.

In today’s world, having your home cost you a bit less each month and take up a little less of your free time each week can make a big difference.

 

Siding - low maintenance and maintenance-free siding solutions can save you time and money. According to Remodeling Magazine, installing fiber-cement siding averages an 80 percent return on your investment, if you sell your home. And that’s not taking into consideration the amount of time you’ll have free not making or organizing repairs.

 

Energy Efficiency - so, your appliances are Energy Star rated, your bulbs are CFL, you’ve checked your windows and doors for leaks; but do you really know where your energy is going? New energy monitor devices can help you track the energy usage for a single device or your whole house.

 

Storage - whether it’s getting rid of that monthly storage facility fee or clearing off your floors, chairs and tables, transforming unused space into creative storage space is one of top ways to maximize the home you’re in. Under the stairs, over doors, inside suspiciously under-used (not the same as not full) closets are all spaces that a little creativity and handywork (or handyman services) can transform into good-looking and useful added storage.

 

For more ideas to save you money and free up your time, try these resources:

• 7 Hot Home Improvement Trends that Make Your Home Work for You
• Small Renovations Can Help Buy Time, Save Money
• 4 Easy Home Improvements to Save Energy and Money